First-place Ottawa Redblacks continue to battle CFL skeptics

While there’s a strong belief within the Ottawa Redblacks’ locker room of what they’re capable of, there continues to be skepticism around the Canadian Football League.

Last week, six prognosticators for cfl.ca picked the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to beat the Redblacks on Friday night; none picked the home team. To be honest, I also predicted the home team would lose, 32-26. Ottawa, of course, won 35-31 despite trailing by 16 points in the second quarter and 25-14 at half-time.

On Tuesday, the CFL’s Nissan Titan Power Rankings placed the Redblacks, after beating the No. 1-ranked Ticats, in fifth. Up from sixth a week earlier. The new No. 1 was the surging B.C. Lions, who after a 3-6 start are now 9-7 … same as Ottawa.

Last week, the CFL’s Simulation gave Ottawa just a 5.68 per cent chance of winning the East Division title, while the Ticats were at 94.32 per cent). Friday’s win changed the odds a bit in Ottawa’s favour, with Tuesday’s simulation awarding Ottawa a 74.74 per cent chance of winning the division and a 10.17 per cent chance of winning the Grey Cup. (Hamilton was at 18.35 per cent.)

Rankings and odds and simulators and picking game winners … it’s all in fun, right?

Yeah, sure. The Redblacks laugh, but you can bet they don’t think they get the respect a first-place team deserves. If they win a rematch with the Ticats in Hamilton on Saturday, they will lock down first place in the East and a first-round playoff bye.

“I would say it’s for fun. It’s a fun exercise for somebody,” Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell said Tuesday after practice at TD Place stadium. “I’m glad they try to do things to drum up interest, but, as far as it dictating our mood or our confidence, I certainly hope that doesn’t factor into it.”

OK, if the power rankings are so off, where should the Redblacks be ranked? Are they No. 1? “Not according to the Nissan Power Rankings. We’re No. 5,” Hebert said. “That’s fine, they can rank us five. Last week, we’re the first-place team in the East and every writer picked us to lose. Either that says a lot about us or a lot about them. It just shows the level of expertise.”

Asked if he would have picked the Redblacks to beat the Ticats, Hebert said: “At home, we’re in first place? I’d be an idiot not to. You’re all wrong.”

Asked if the Redblacks would win this week in Hamilton, Hebert said: “We don’t do guarantees. We do things the right way. We’re going to work hard to give ourselves a chance. Nothing’s guaranteed in this game, ever. Every team in this league can beat the other team. We’re going to work our butts off so we bring our best game and give ourselves an opportunity.”

Asked where he would place Ottawa if he could do his own rankings, Hebert said: “If I had to do a power ranking … I just feel it’s not important. There’s no rhyme or reason, there’s no science to it, clearly. Because it’s always wrong.”

THE INJURY REPORT: Running back William Powell, who with a league-leading 1,362 rushing yards is within striking distance of an Ottawa CFL season record (Reggie Barnes had 1,486 for the 1991 Rough Riders), took Tuesday’s practice off. He should be back Wednesday … Four defenders/special teamers could return from the injured list this week. Avery Williams, Kevin Brown, Justin Howell and Dan West practised Tuesday. “We’ll see how it all shakes out,” Campbell said. “We have a chance to get some guys back. We were a little thin at linebacker last week and heavy on the D-line. Both on the defensive and special teams point of view, it will be good to get a balance back.” It’ll be interesting to see what Ottawa does with Chris Ackie if Brown and Williams are back. Campbell didn’t dismiss the notion that Ackie could get playing time at safety. Antoine Pruneau remains sidelined, while Jean-Philippe Bolduc took reps there Tuesday.

HARRIS A TOP PERFORMER: Redblacks QB Trevor Harris was named one of the CFL’s Shaw Top Performers for Week 19 along with B.C. Lions receiver DeVier Posey and Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Zach Collaros. Harris completed 24 passes for 341 yards and a touchdown against the Ticats. For the season, Harris has 408 completions, 4,849 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes. “I’m just glad we were able to come out with the intensity we needed in the last 35 minutes of the game, but we have to make sure we’re putting together a full 60 minutes,” Harris said. “We did some good things offensively, but we have a lot of stuff to clean up as well.”

MR. AUTOMATIC: Lewis Ward just keeps drilling them. The Redblacks kicker nailed two more field goals Friday, including one from 52 yards, to extend his consecutive field goal record to 45, breaking the pro football record of 44 set by Adam Vinatieri with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. “If you’re lining up for a field goal and every time you know you’re going to get three points, it’s a huge thing,” Campbell said. “The cool thing about Lewis is he’s really not focused on that. He’s just focused on the team doing well and winning. He doesn’t make it about himself or the record. I think that attitude helps him do what he does.” Asked if he had ever played alongside a kicker that was this automatic, Harris said: “Has anyone ever? He’s made more (consecutive) field goals than anybody in the universe’s history. He’s been huge for us. Anytime we’ve been in field goal range, it’s been three points. He’s kept his humility, he’s been seen and not heard, he does all the things you want kickers to do.”

THE END AROUND: While there are still plenty of playoff scenarios with two weeks remaining in the regular season, it’s quite simple for the Redblacks. Win either of their two remaining games (they close against Toronto at home on Nov. 2) and they clinch top spot in the East. There are plenty of possibilities as to which West team will cross over to the East for playoffs … Bad news for the Ticats — dynamic receiver Brandon Banks, who was having an outstanding season, is done for the year after breaking a clavicle against Ottawa. Expect Terrell Sinkfield, who signed with the Ticats a couple of weeks ago, in the lineup Saturday. … Late Tuesday night, the Redblacks announced the addition of national linebackers Drew Morris and Daniel Tshiamala to the practice roster. To make room for them, national defensive back Daryl Townsend and international defensive lineman Blaine Woodson were released.

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